CAMDEN — Thanking the Diocese of Camden’s Catholic Charities for “your incredible work, and the miracles you do each and every day,” Father Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, visited Catholic Charities’ offices here Nov. 14 to offer support and encouragement for those working to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Father Snyder spoke at a luncheon and was scheduled to travel to Northfield later that day to visit St. Gianna Beretta Molla Parish, one of the distribution sites set up to aid victims of the late October storm.
With Kim Burgo, senior director of Disaster Operations for Catholic Charities USA, Father Snyder planned to visit South Jersey until the end of the week.
Father Synder — who has headed the organization since 2005, the year of Hurricane Katrina — spoke about the work of Catholic Charities USA, which is the national office for Catholic Charities agencies nationwide, and its support to more than 10 million people every year.
“Our (Catholic) faith compels us, to do what we do,” he said.
Directing his words to the Diocese of Camden’s Catholic Charities, Father Snyder said that he came to the area “to salute all of you, for the work you’ve done in responding” to the need in South Jersey.
Presenting the agency with a check for $10,000, from Catholic Charities USA to assist in the effort, Father Snyder promised more in the future, and asked the diocesan agency to let him know “what you need, how we can help you.”
During the luncheon, the Catholic Charities agency in Camden was also presented with a check for $2,500 from the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. Msgr. Roger McGrath, vicar general for the diocese, gave the check to Kevin Hickey, executive director of Catholic Charities for the diocese, and read the letter from Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the nuncio to the United States.